A Statement of Solidarity with Victims of South Asian Tsunamis

A Statement of the President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Bishop William S. Skylstad Bishop of Spokane President December 29, 2004

No words can comprehend the horror and tragedy unleashed by the tsunamis that struck huge parts of South Asia on Sunday, December 26th. The scale of the calamity that took tens of thousands of lives is matched only by the human suffering and loss experienced by many thousands more who just barely survived. They now face the unimaginable task of identifying and burying the dead, rebuilding their lives and struggling to rebuild their communities.

Together with the Church everywhere, we pray for the victims of this disaster and assure the survivors of our solidarity. As the international community moves to provide emergency aid to the people of the countries most affected, we know that the worldwide Caritas network of Catholic agencies, including our Conference's own Catholic Relief Services, are doing all that is humanly possible to lessen the suffering of those affected. Yesterday I asked all of our Diocesan Bishops to consider taking up a collection in their dioceses to aid our brothers and sisters in the hardest hit areas.

We commend the souls of the departed to the merciful care of our Savior, whose birth we have just celebrated. We express our ecclesial solidarity with the Bishops and faithful of the Church in each of the lands so devastated this week. And we offer our prayers and support to all whose lives and livelihoods were overwhelmed by the tsunamis.

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